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If you’ve done any sort of research on popular luggage brands or have spent some time scrolling through Instagram, odds are you’ve come across Away, the trendy, DTC luggage brand known for its sleek suitcases and vibrant colorways. The polycarbonate shell suitcases have maintained their popularity almost a decade after their launch and social media virality, but for those who may be hesitant to spend upwards of $300 on a piece of luggage, the question remains: Is Away really worth the hype (and price tag)?

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As a journalist and avid traveler, I have used Away’s Carry-On Flex, Bigger Carry-On, and Large suitcase since 2018 to travel everywhere from Spain and France to California and Vermont. During this time, I’ve tried other suitcase brands like Monos and Samsonite, but Away has remained my top choice thanks to its roomy interior and lightweight shell. There are some drawbacks to the bags — notably, the lighter colors scuff pretty easily and it can be hard to find your suitcase on a conveyor belt full of Away bags — but ultimately the pros far outweigh the cons, especially if you travel often.

In This Article

What Is Away Luggage?

Away was founded in 2015 by Jen Rubio and Steph Korey, who previously worked together at Warby Parker. They originally launched with a single product — the Carry-On — but later expanded their suitcase offerings and eventually branched out into accessories, totes, and other travel-related essentials. 

Since its launch in 2015, Away has taken customer feedback to heart, and the brand’s suitcases have evolved significantly: Among other things, the bags now have a grab handle under the wheels that make them easier to carry, and previously existing handles now protrude less. The carry-on pieces were previously offered with built-in battery packs, but these have since been phased out based on customer feedback. (As someone who owns one of the older battery pack models, I agree that while the battery pack was convenient, it’s just as convenient to bring a portable charger with you on the plane.)

What Makes Away Luggage So Unique?

There are a lot of things to appreciate about Away’s suitcases. All of the brand’s signature carry-ons and checked bags are protected by a polycarbonate hard shell that, according to Travelpro, is sturdier and more crack-resistant than other common hardside materials like polypropylene. Thanks to the hard shell, it’s also easy to fill the suitcase to the brim without worrying about whether it will fit in an overhead compartment. “I am an overpacker through and through, and I love that the shell is hard but also flexible, so I can pack as much as I want into this bag that fits into a carry-on compartment,” says Becca Higgins, Rolling Stone’s senior producer of artist relations who has been using her Bigger Carry-On for years.

The bags are also secured by a three-digit, TSA-approved combination lock that’s built directly into the suitcase. (A word to the wise, though: Do not forget your lock combination. More on that later.)

From a size standpoint, the Away bags also offer a lot of bang for your buck. All of the suitcases have an interior compression system that keeps your belongings compartmentalized while condensing them down. If you tend to be an overpacker, the Flex suitcases also come with zipper expansions that enlarge the interior to give you more packing space. 

Away The Carry-On Flex Review

Away’s The Carry-On is the bag that first helped the company rise to prominence in 2015. The smallest suitcase option in Away’s lineup, the bag has deep compartments on either side that are secured with either a zippered mesh sleeve or a buckled mesh compression divider.

“The square shape maximizes the usable storage in all bag sizes,” says Jessica Seib, Rolling Stone’s VP of Commerce who owns several Away bags. “The mesh zip compartments and divider built-ins also make sorting clean and dirty or delicate clothing and shoes within one bag a breeze.”

When I used my Carry-On Flex for a four-day trip to Lake Placid, I had no trouble packing six outfits, a few sweaters, and all of my toiletries; however, there wasn’t any room left to pack a second pair of shoes, so I would recommend The Bigger Carry-On Flex (which has a 55.7-liter capacity) if you want to pack larger items like sneakers or a hair styling tool.

Away The Bigger Carry-On Review

The Bigger Carry-On has been my go-to travel companion since I first bought it in 2018. Though it’s just slightly bigger than the Carry-On Flex at its full capacity, I have found that it offers more room for larger items like shoes, jackets, and heavy sweaters. I have relied on my Bigger Carry-On alone for week-long work trips, bachelorette trips, and more; on average, I can fit up to eight or nine outfits in my bag, but that number gets smaller depending on how many larger items I need to bring with me. 

Away The Large Review

Away’s checked bag offerings include The Medium, The Large, and The Trunk, as well as Flex and Aluminum versions of the first two. The Large, which remains relatively lightweight at 12.1 pounds, has a shockingly sizeable interior; on a recent two-week trip across Germany and Denmark, I was able to fit everything into my Large suitcase without having to bring a carry-on (on top of my usual outfits, I had to pack gym clothes and a dirndl for Oktoberfest!).

The Large is easily my favorite Away suitcase of all the ones I own thanks to how reliable it is on longer trips. My light pink shell is pretty scuffed up after years of use, but there isn’t any damage that would compromise the integrity of the suitcase. The other thing that I love about The Large is that, when I’m not traveling, my Bigger Carry-On can be stored inside of it so the two suitcases aren’t taking up as much space inside my closet.

Away Luggage Pros:

• The Away suitcases are relatively lightweight, which makes them easier to lift into overhead bins and makes it easier to stay under the weight limit.

• The suitcases’ 360-degree wheels hold up well after several years of use and easily glide across all types of surfaces, from carpeting to asphalt — “the wheels are 360-degree magic and so smooth,” Higgins says.

• Away’s customer service is excellent and the lifetime limited warranty covers most major damage.

• The myriad pockets (and optional packing cubes) allow for maximized use of the interior space.


Away Luggage Cons:

• The polycarbonate shell scuffs relatively easily, especially in the lighter colorways.

• The combination lock is impossible to reset if you forget the code.

• The suitcases are on the pricier side, so they may not make sense for people who don’t travel as often.

• Since Away bags are so popular, it can be easy to mix your bag up with someone else’s. “My suggestion: Buy an Away suitcase and then pick up one of these cheap accessories to help differentiate your bag from someone else’s,” says Tim Chan, PMC’s associate VP of editorial and commerce.


How Does Away Luggage Compare to Competitors?

While I have found that the Away suitcases best fit my travel needs, some of the other popular luggage brands may be a better option depending on how often you travel and the type of travel you’re doing. If you’re looking for something to use for work travel, for instance, I am a fan of Monos’ Carry-On Pro; in addition to boasting many of the features of the Away bag — like a polycarbonate shell, combination lock, and 360-degree spinning wheels — it also has an exterior pocket that can hold a laptop, notebooks, and other work travel essentials. A more affordable alternative that Chan is also a fan of is Brandless’ Checked Luggage: “It features a suitcase with vertical lines (Away has horizontal lines) so I can always pick my bag out of a crowd,” he says.

Though many of the popular luggage retailers offer similar features, one of the biggest selling points when it comes to Away is the company’s customer service. Most Away bags come with a lifetime limited warranty, which covers everything from cracks and unusable wheels to broken zippers and fabric tears. “My first Medium Bag zipper was damaged by an airline bag handler when it was brand new. I brought the bag to an Away store in Brooklyn and received a brand new bag within minutes,” Seib recalls.

So, Is Away Luggage Worth it?

Away’s luggage isn’t going to make sense for everybody; for those who travel less often, something more affordable might make more sense, and if you’re mostly traveling for work, you might want to consider a carry-on that offers easy access to your laptop, notebook, and electronics. However, if you travel regularly and are looking for a durable, sleek suitcase that’s easy to organize, the Away bags are well worth the price tag when you consider how long they last and the brand’s lifetime warranty. “I basically overstuff my suitcase and put it through the wildest conditions and it comes out unscathed,” Higgins notes. Away even has a 100-day free return policy on unused bags, so if you’re on the fence, you can order one to test out at home before you fully commit.